N.S. premier calls some of new Halifax encampment sites ‘completely nuts’

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said he astir “fell disconnected his chair” aft learning that Halifax’s assembly was readying to found designated bum encampments successful historical parks such arsenic nan Halifax Common and Point Pleasant Park.

During a media readiness pursuing a furniture gathering connected Thursday, Houston said his provincial authorities had antecedently projected astir 40 imaginable encampment sites to nan Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).

“I thought it was wholly nuts, immoderate of nan sites they person been putting forward,” he said to reporters.

“The nickname of immoderate of these sites is conscionable really difficult to get nan caput astir — really nan HRM assembly could deliberation these would beryllium due sites and nan effect they would person connected communities.”

The 9 caller locations, presented by metropolis unit to Halifax councillors connected Tuesday, see 7 connected nan Halifax peninsula, including Bayers Road Windsor Street Park, BiHi Park, Chain Lake Park, Cogswell Park, Glebe Street Park, Halifax Common berm and Point Pleasant Park.

In Dartmouth, Bissett Road Park and nan Geary Street greenish abstraction were selected arsenic designated sites.

All locations were said to beryllium chosen for their proximity to nationalist transit and different services, and for their region from schools, parks, gardens, aliases culturally delicate areas.

Out of nan location recommendations approved by Halifax, nan Nova Scotia premier said nan determination to designate an area of Point Pleasant Park to service arsenic a bum encampment was what shocked him most.

“Certainly, Point Pleasant Park and nan Commons are standout,” he said. “The sites that they put guardant are beautiful shocking.”

In an emailed connection to Global News connected Wednesday, a Halifax spokesperson said “the circumstantial area of Point Pleasant Park for imaginable usage arsenic a designated location” is yet to beryllium determined.

Houston continued to opportunity nan state has made “significant” investments toward nan lodging rumor successful Halifax and his colleagues request a “willing partner” successful nan municipality.

“We’re a compassionate government, we’re location to support. We’ll supply services but immoderate of nan decisions surrounding immoderate of these sites are conscionable shocking successful nan effect that they will have,” nan premier said, adding that he’s anticipating another transportation of Pallet location shelters successful nan fall.

During a lengthy chat among Halifax officials connected Tuesday, Coun. Lisa Blackburn pinned nan halfway work of addressing nan ongoing lodging situation connected her provincial counterparts.

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“This is simply a provincial responsibility, and we are conscionable doing what we tin pinch nan resources that we have,” she said, adding that councilors are conscionable “putting nan band-aid connected nan gaping thorax wound. I deliberation we request to commencement each speech astir this pinch nan nickname that nan state has nan work for emergency lodging and shelter space.”

Coun. Sam Austin, who represents nan Dartmouth Centre constituency, described nan selected options arsenic nan “lesser evil” — though he says he understands nan challenges and apt backlash associated pinch nan caller locations.

Austin said existing encampment sites, specified arsenic nan 1 connected University Avenue adjacent nan city’s infirmary and Northbrook Park successful Dartmouth, are “spiraling retired of control” passim nan Halifax area. In addition, he said an encampment connected Green Road successful Dartmouth, matches nan size of a Lower Sackville tract that was dismantled a fewer months ago.

“If we don’t designate locations, past there’s nary solution for Green Road and University Avenue. Northbrook Park falls apart,” adding that nan municipality might’ve not been forced to make this determination if nan Pallet shelters had arrived at nan primitively anticipated time.

“If we don’t do thing today, that is what happens … it’s nan slightest bad of unspeakable choices and that’s each we have, unspeakable choices.”

As of June 25, Halifax’s by-name database has grown to 1,316 group experiencing homelessness passim nan city. Out of nan 4 locations presently acting arsenic encampment sites, 88 tents are group up successful areas said to beryllium suitable for astir 30.

In addition, metropolis unit estimated that astir 150 group are sleeping unsmooth successful municipality areas passim Halifax.

— pinch files from Global News’ Skye Bryden-Blom and The Canadian Press